South Bend Cubs: Helping the local economy

Some local businesses in the South Bend area believe the new minor league baseball affiliation with the Chicago Cubs is one of the best partnerships to happen in years.

Judy Gish, the part-owner of Cj's Pub on Michigan Street in Downtown South Bend said this affiliation is a home run for the city.

Gish said, “We hit a home run with the cubs! Everybody loves the cubs, and I'll tell ya something, the ball park does bring business!”

Gish is excited for the fans who might visit her restaurant before and after games.

Gish said, “It helps the city, it helps downtown, it's an all win situation!” South Bend Brew Werks plans on brewing a 'Cubbie Bear' to unveil during the season. Managing partner Andrew Elegante said the stadium is only a couple blocks away so he hopes people from out of town will venture downtown.

Elegante said, “We're getting really excited, we are in our third year as season ticket holders for the cubs so those tickets will be given away daily to people who come in for lunch!”

Elegante said every couple of cents from the beer you buy goes to a charity, and this season the South Bend Cubs organization is allowing him to present the checks to his community partners during the games.

Elegante said, “This year something special we're going to do is on field check presentations with our community partners once a month so you'll start seeing us there at the big game. we've been talking to the cubs about getting some seat cushions for our chairs and developing a beer that's a South Bend Cubs beer!”

As an entrepreneur, Elegante said he admires the investment.

Elegante said, “They're adding a lot of vibrancy, the way that the owner Andrew Berlin and his team including Joe Hart have really invested in this community to make it a high quality experience and creating an awareness and marketing and signage and strategy to bring people in from all over the place is really benefiting so many people downtown so very grateful for their efforts!”